Description
Easy one-pot cranberry sauce made with fresh cranberries, sugar, and orange zest ready in about 15 minutes for your holiday table.
Ingredients
12 oz fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked over
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
1 tsp orange zest (optional, for brightness)
1 pinch salt (to balance the sweetness)
Instructions
1. Rinse the cranberries and discard any soft or shriveled berries.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
3. Add the cranberries and return to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a lively simmer and cook 8–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most berries burst and the sauce thickens.
4. Remove from heat and stir in the orange zest (if using) and a pinch of salt. Taste and adjust sweetness or citrus to preference.
5. Let cool to room temperature; the sauce will continue to set as it cools. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving for the best texture.
Notes
For extra citrus flavor, replace half of the water with orange juice.
Cranberry sauce thickens as it cools, so don’t worry if it looks a bit thin while it’s still warm.
Make ahead: prepare up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate in an airtight container.
Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 10 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
Delicious with turkey, ham, sandwiches, oatmeal, and yogurt.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 1/3 cup
- Calories: 155
- Sugar: 37
- Sodium: 30
- Fat: 0
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 0
- Cholesterol: 0